Reading comprehension question types - Comparative reading: ...

Learning Outcomes

After reading this article, you will know how to answer LSAT comparative reading questions testing point of agreement and point of disagreement between two passages. You will be able to identify where the authors agree or disagree, apply elimination techniques to answer choices, and recognize the language that signals agreement or conflict in complex passage relationships. This skill is essential for maximizing your reading comprehension score.

LSAT Syllabus

For LSAT, you are required to understand comparative reading passages, particularly questions about points of agreement and disagreement. Focus your revision on the following areas:

• identifying when two passages (or speakers) agree or disagree about a particular claim or idea
• recognizing the language and structure of comparative reading questions focused on agreement/disagreement
• applying process of elimination to select answer choices consistent with the analysis of both passages
• differentiating agreement/disagreement from related but distinct question types (such as inference or analogy)
• avoiding common traps based on unsupported or partially stated views

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. Which statement best describes a "point of disagreement" question in LSAT comparative reading?
   1. It asks for an inference from both passages.
   2. It asks what both passages main idea is.
   3. It asks what one author believes and the other does not.
   4. It asks about the structure of the arguments.
2. If Passage A asserts "national parks improve local economies," but Passage B makes no mention of economy, which of the following is true?
   1. The passages agree on the importance of national parks.
   2. There is no agreement or disagreement about economic effect.
   3. The authors disagree that parks improve economies.
   4. Both passages claim parks harm economies.

3. True or false: In an LSAT disagreement question, the correct answer must match a point one author affirms and the other denies or contradicts.

4. Which type of question stem signals a point of agreement task?
   1. "Which one of the following would both authors accept?"
   2. "What does the author imply about parks?"
   3. "How is Passage B organized?"
   4. "Which answer weakens the argument above?"

Introduction

LSAT comparative reading passages require you to analyze the relationships between two texts. A common LSAT task is to answer point of agreement or disagreement questions. These questions ask which claim both authors (or speakers) explicitly or implicitly accept or reject. To answer these, you must read carefully, separate each viewpoint, and assess which ideas the authors share, as well as where their opinions diverge.

Key Term: comparative reading
On the LSAT, comparative reading involves two short passages on a related topic. You are required to analyze and compare both to answer specific questions about their relationship.

Key Term: point of agreement
A statement that both authors—or speakers—would accept as true, even if they do not state it identically. Recognizing agreement requires careful comparison of both speakers’ explicit and implied claims.

Key Term: point of disagreement
A statement that one author (or speaker) accepts as true, and the other explicitly rejects or would not accept. This often involves conflicting positions or reasons on an issue raised in both passages.

COMPARATIVE READING: POINT OF AGREEMENT AND DISAGREEMENT QUESTIONS

Comparative reading LSAT questions about agreement or disagreement require you to compare two passages (or speakers) and judge their views on specific issues. These are not the same as inference, structure, or analogy questions; instead, the focus is on where the authors’ views align or conflict.

Typical Question Stems

Point of agreement question stems may include:

• "Both passages/authors would be most likely to agree that..."
• "Which one of the following would both authors endorse...?"

Point of disagreement stems may include:

• "The primary point at issue between Author A and Author B is..."
• "Which of the following do the authors disagree about?"

How to Approach Agreement/Disagreement Questions

Step 1: Clarify Each Author's Position

• Restate, in your own words, each passage’s claim about the issue raised in the answer stem.
• Focus only on opinions stated or strongly implied, not on content that is absent from the passage.

Step 2: Prephrase Before Answer Choices

• For agreement: What—if anything—do both authors assert, imply, or accept?
• For disagreement: Is there an issue that one side affirms and the other denies or questions?

Step 3: Evaluate Each Answer Choice

• For agreement: Eliminate answers where either author would reject or is neutral.
• For disagreement: The correct answer is something that one author would accept (by assertion or implication) and the other contradicts or challenges. Ignore answer choices where either speaker takes no position.

Step 4: Be Wary of Trap Choices

• Avoid answers about side topics, facts neither author addresses, or claims both discuss without actually conflicting.
• The disagreement must be clear and specific, not based on silence or partial overlap.

Worked Example 1.1

Passage A concludes that "renewable energy is essential to fight climate change." Passage B states, "renewable energy projects harm local wildlife and are not always the best solution."

Which of the following best expresses their point of disagreement?
A) Whether renewable energy is necessary to address climate change.
B) Whether renewable energy affects local wildlife.
C) Whether climate change is a problem.
D) Whether renewable power is available worldwide.

Answer:
A. Passage A affirms renewable energy is essential, while Passage B questions its suitability, suggesting disagreement over its necessity for climate change.

Worked Example 1.2

Speaker 1: "Government should provide free healthcare for all."
Speaker 2: "While healthcare access is important, government programs often reduce the quality of care."

On which point do the speakers disagree?
A) Whether all people should have some healthcare access.
B) Whether government healthcare programs lower care quality.
C) Whether taxes fund healthcare programs.
D) Whether private insurance exists.

Answer:
B. Speaker 1 says nothing about quality; Speaker 2 claims government reduces it. This is a partial mismatch—there is no true disagreement unless Speaker 1 asserts the opposite.

Revision Tip

For agreement/disagreement questions, avoid focusing on what is unstated. If a claim appears in only one passage and the other is silent, it doesn't count as agreement or disagreement.

Exam Warning

Never infer disagreement based solely on silence. A true disagreement exists only when both passages comment on an issue, and their comments are inconsistent.

Worked Example 1.3

Passage A: "Ban plastic bags to reduce urban waste."
Passage B: "Plastic bag bans have minimal effect—education and recycling are more useful."

Which claim would both authors most likely agree on?
A) All single-use plastics should be banned.
B) Reducing waste is desirable.
C) Plastic bags have many practical benefits.
D) Plastic bans always cause more problems than they fix.

Answer:
B. Both take it as given that waste reduction is good—although they criticize methods, this agreement is implied by their focus.

STRATEGY REMINDERS

• Identify what each author actually says, not what you think they "should" say.
• Agreement requires both to commit; disagreement requires clear conflict.
• If one is silent, that's not enough.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• Point of agreement/disagreement questions test whether both authors take a defined position on a claim.
• Correct answers require either both accepting (agreement) or one affirming and one rejecting (disagreement) an idea.
• Trap answers often involve silence, side topics, or partial overlap.
• For each answer, check: Does each passage clearly state, agree, or disagree with the claim?
• Eliminate choices that involve only one author's view or where both are neutral or silent.
• These questions commonly appear in LSAT comparative reading and demand comparison-based analytical reasoning.

Key Terms and Concepts

• comparative reading
• point of agreement
• point of disagreement